Invigorate your palate with the rich, intense flavor of Artisana pecan purée. Smooth texture, fresh aroma, and most importantly, deep, complex taste make this a profoundly satisfying concerto of sensory pleasures. Every spoonful is a healthy treat; alone or added to shakes.

The Native American Indians made pecan milk by pounding the nuts with a mortar and pestle before adding water and stirring them into a nourishing beverage. Pecan milk was an ideal energy food for their infants as well as the elders because it was so easy to digest.

Medicinal Benefits

Medical researchers give pecans the thumbs-up for their ability to lower cholesterol when small amounts are included in the diet on a regular basis. Scientists exploring the beneficial properties of pecans discovered they are a concentrated source of plant sterols known to lower cholesterol.

In addition, pecans contain phytochemicals that offer antioxidant protection from many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Because pecans contain mostly monounsaturated fatty acids, they are touted by the American Heart Association that advises Americans to"substitute grains and unsaturated fatty acids from fish, vegetables, legumes and nuts" and limit their intake of saturated fats.

Pecans are sodium-free and contain more than 19 different vitamins and minerals, making them an ideal nutritious alternative to animal-based foods.

Oleic acid is the main monounsaturated acid in most nuts, including pecans, and is credited with lowering LDL cholesterol while not affecting the HDL. Many studies reveal that a high ratio of monounsaturates to polyunsaturates is helpful in reducing risk of heart disease.

Essential oil from the pecan is used as an inhalant as well as topical oil. Putting 2 or 3 drops on a handkerchief and breathing the oil stimulates the body to make antibodies, endorphins, and neurotransmitters that help build a strong immune system. Benefits can also be derived from putting the oil into the bathtub, a diffuser, or even a footbath.

Pecans are high in zinc, a mineral that helps the body to generate testosterone. Both men and women benefit from good levels of testosterone, a hormone responsible for sparking sexual desire.

Also differing from the walnut is the pecan's oilier composition, containing about 70% monounsaturated fat (oleic acid). The fat composition of pecans includes several oils (gama tocopherol, alpha tocopherol, and delta tocopherol) but mostly linoleic and oleic fatty acids which are monounsaturated fats. Good quality pecans contain 73% to 75% oil.

With its nearly 18% protein content, the pecan is listed on the USDA Food Guide Pyramid as part of the protein group as a healthful alternative for people on a plant-based diet.

In about 20 halves of pecans, the total fat content is 20.4 grams, mostly monounsaturated, with only 1.8 grams saturated fat. While this small quantity of pecans contains 196 calories, studies reveal that frequent consumption, several times a week, does not cause weight gain. In some cases, study participants have even shown a small weight loss.

Plant sterols are highly touted today for their ability to lower cholesterol. Pecans contain about 40 mg of plant sterols.

Pecans offer B vitamins with 0.29 mg of thiamine, 0.04 mg of riboflavin, 0.33 mg of niacin, 0.06 mg of B6, and 6.2 mcg of folic acid. While calcium is not considered high in pecans, it does register 19.8 mg, which adds up when combined with other calcium containing foods eaten throughout the day.

Hard-to-get zinc and iron offer 1.3 mg and 0.7 mg respectively. Pecans are a good source of potassium with 116 mg and magnesium at 34.3 mg.

An ideal healthfood for the low carb disciples, pecans have only 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Overall, pecans contain 70% monounsaturated fats, 12 to 15% carbohydrates, 9 to 10% protein, 3 to 4% water, and 1.5% minerals.

Because of their high oil content, pecans can become rancid in warm temperatures. Shelled, they can be kept at 70 F for up to three months but are best kept refrigerated in glass jars. Pecans in the shell can keep at room temperature for up to four months but should be refrigerated for longer storage.